Protection against cardiovascular disease

Oram JF, Heinecke JW (2005) ATP-binding cassette transporter Al a cell cholesterol exporter that protects against cardiovascular disease. Physiol Rev 85 1343-1372... 

Although elevated levels of cholesterol and LDL in human plasma are linked to an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, recent data have shown that an increase in concentration of HDL in plasma is correlated with a lowered risk of coronary artery disease. Why does an elevated HDL level in plasma appear to protect against cardiovascular disease, whereas an elevated LDL level seems to cause this disease The answer to this question is not known. An explanation currently favored is that HDL functions in the removal of cholesterol from nonhepatic tissues and the return of cholesterol to the liver, where it is metabolized and secreted. The net effect would be a decrease in the amount of plasma cholesterol available for deposit in arteries (see... 

Resveratrol has also been reported to offer protection against cardiovascular disease, such as coronary heart disease. The effects of resveratrol on factors implicated in the development of coronary heart disease - human platelet aggregation and the synthesis of eicosanoids (lipids) from arachidonate by platelets - were investigated and compared with the actions of other wine phenolics - catechin (1.39), epicatechin (7.18a), and quercetin (1.43) - and the antioxidants a-tocopherol (7.10a), hydroquinone and butylated hydroxytoluene. Resveratrol and quercetin demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation, whereas the other compounds tested were inactive. Resveratrol also inhibited the synthesis of the eicosanoids in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the other phenolics were less effective of not effective at all. Removal of the alcohol from the wine did not diminish the effect on platelet aggregation (Pace-Asciak et al., 1995 Goldberg et al., 1995). 

Rasmussen SE, Frederiksen H, Struntze KK, Poulsen L. 2005. Dietary proanthocya-nidins Occurrence, dietary intake, bioavailability, and protection against cardiovascular disease. Mol Nutr Food Res 49 159-174. 

Flavonoids are natural dietary phytochemicals and are currently the focus of much nutritional and therapeutic interest. However, the benefit of dietary flavonoids as part of a diet or as supplements is unclear. Results of population studies suggest that adopting flavonoid-rich diets may protect against cardiovascular disease [Hertog et al., 1995 Keli et al., 1996 Knekt et al., 1996 Huxley et al., 2003 Sesso et al., 1999 Yochum et al., 1999 Hirvonen et al., 2001 ... 

Pomegranate Phenolic Antioxidant Activities Protect against Cardiovascular Diseases... 

Rotterdam Case-cohort11 4 4802 M-F High dietary intake of /3-carotene may protect against cardiovascular disease vitamin C and E seem ineffective 144... 

Increases in chylomicrons, VLDL, and LDL have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular or other diseases, but increased circulating HDL levels are thought to provide protection against cardiovascular disease. Premeno-... 

The one thing that has shown up in medical studies time and time again, with no contradictory evidence, is that people whose diets are rich in fruits and vegetables are protected against cardiovascular disease, have lower blood pressure, and suffer fewer heart attacks and strokes. 

Cardiovascular System In women, estrogen protects against cardiovascular disease. The protective cardiovascular effects of estrogen include decreased serum LDL cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol levels, va-sodilatory effect, and antioxidation of LDL cholesterol (Chapter 20). Extensive clinical trials have shown that estrogen replacement therapy of postmenopausal women reduces the risk of heart disease. 

Epidemiological, clinical, and in vitro evidence support the hypothesis that phytochemicals benefit health. Herbs, spices, and tropical and subtropical fruits contain a broad range of such compounds, some of which are reported to protect against cardiovascular disease. The presence of a large number of minor dietary factors that protect against disease reinforces the recommendation to increase the intake of plant foods rather than any specific supplement. 

Recent research also indicates an association between tomato consumption (fresh and processed) and protection against cardiovascular disease. Coronary heart disease (CHD) has a high prevalence in western countries and is increasing in Asian countries due to changes in socioeconomic conditions, lifestyle, and diet. The link between LDL oxidation and atherosclerosis is hypothesized to be the basis for a beneficial effect of antioxidants in general on the incidence of subclinical and clinical CHD. 

S Uses. Indeed, there is a growing belief that certain flavonoids and flavones are specifically useful, acting as antioxidants and giving protection against cardiovascular disease, certain forms of cancer, and, it is also claimed, age-related degeneration of cell components. 

Cocoa products are rich in phenolics, especially in flavanoids. These substances provide a strong protection against cardiovascular diseases they are effective antioxidative compotmds and scavengers of free radicals. The flavanols reveal beneficial effects on low-density lipoproteins oxidation [91] platelet aggregation [92], endothelial function [93], and blood pressure [94]. Consumption of flavanol-rich diet also reverses dysfunction in diabetes [95]. 

Over the last two decades, the scientific community has become aware of the potential health-related benefits of antioxidants and the properties of polyphenols-rich dark chocolate and cocoa. More than 200 studies were reported on bioactive compounds, chemical compositions, and health benefits of cocoa and cocoa products. Many of the proposed health-protective activities associated with the crmsumption of cocoa and chocolate have been attributed to flavan-3-ols, including monomers. Reported pharmacological activities of procyanidins include antioxidative and anticancer effects, protection against cardiovascular disease, risk reduction of blood clotting, protection against urinary tract infectirms, decrease of LDL-c, decrease of blood pressure, and improvement of endothelium vasodilatation. Moreover, there is some scientific evidence about an increase in blood flow and perfusion of the brain by... 

Some studies showed that another compound present in mushrooms, ergosterol, can be protective against cardiovascular diseases (Danik and Manson 2012 Jasinghe etal. 2006). The mushrooms most abimdant in ergosterol are portabello (crimini), shiitake Lentinula edodes, and oyster mushroom/ ostreatus (Jasinghe etal. 2006). 

A clinical study carried out by Egert et al. (2009) reported that quercetin leads to a decrease in the systolic blood pressure in an entire study group and more particularly in subjects between 25-65 years together with a decrease in the concentration of plasma atherogenic oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein (LDH) ( bad cholesterol ), therefore providing protection against cardiovascular disease. However, quercetin also decreased the serum High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) concentration, but the LDL HDL ratio was unaltered. 

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